we already have a black lab (6 years) and a cavalier king charles spaniel who is 10 months
and also a 3 year old son!
2007-02-20 08:07:18 · 18 answers · asked by lucyjake3 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
we have mastiffs and find them a wonderful breed,as long time and effort are put into good feeding,training,socialising,they are very good with children,as long as children are not aloud to ride them,tease,poke prod etc,they are after all living animals and do feel pain etc,
do not buy one of the so called American Mastiffs,few are health tersted,not all are drool free,as they can take on either of the parents characteristics,as can all crossbreeds,
good luck in your decision,please make sure that whatever breed you go for that you make sure both parents are fully health tested,not just a vet saying oo yes its healthy,get relelvant paperwork,for hip/elbow scores etc
Wendy
2007-02-20 21:15:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggest that you research this through proper channels, with your husband rather than through an "opinion" group as multiple dog ownership is a very individual thing. I have three dogs. Some people would say that is too many. I would like more (as would my husband).
First get a good book about Bull Mastiffs (try Amazon) and read up. Then contact the breed club(s) for information on when Bull Mastiff shows are on, go to the shows so that you can see what they are really like. If then you decide a Bull Mastiff is for you, you will already be in contact with good breeders and the breeders will know that your home is right because you have done your research. You will probably have to go on a waiting list for a puppy.
2007-02-21 06:10:38 · answer #2 · answered by Ranchstar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/bullmastiff.html
If you think you can handle another dog I would say yes! They are great dogs, and are very tolerant of children/puppies. I would think with a 3 year old son that you might not want a puppy, so you could always Google some Mastiff Rescues to see if there are any in your area. Pure Breed Rescues are a plus because the dog comes potty trained and neutered/spayed.
Is your husband active? This would be a good dog for him if he is. Hiking with a Mastiff is an ideal exercise!
If you think you can handle another dog, I would deffinatly go with a Mastiff! Here are some other sites that might help you choose yes or no.
http://www.bullmastiffinfo.org/
^ This sites will answer ALL your questions!
Good Luck!
2007-02-20 16:17:15 · answer #3 · answered by xtaintedLOVE 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you do decide to get a Bull Mastiff check out the breader's stock. A friend of mine is on his second Mastiff and the outcome won't be pretty. The first had thyroid problems and died at a young age, the second has a spinal problem that causes his back end to paralyze and the dog falls over. He is currently under going acupuncture which provides only temporary relief. The breeder says she doesn't have it in her lineage but it is heriditary. I should also mention these weren't cheap dogs, he paid 1,500 for each.
2007-02-21 02:26:27 · answer #4 · answered by alicebeaching 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are wonderful as far as tempermant and being good with familys and kids. You MUST train this dog though from the time it's a puppy on basic obediance. You do not want to wait till it weighs more than you before you try to teach it to sit and lay down.
My personal preferance if I get a mastiff will be the American Mastiff. Same great personality as the Bull and English, but it was bred to be dry mouthed, no nasty drool all over the place. :)
2007-02-20 16:15:10 · answer #5 · answered by shannon_crystaln 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They can be gentle giants if they are brought up properly and come from stock with a good temperament. However they are HUGE so you would need to do lots and lots of training to make sure you could control it properly.
They also have a tendency towards aggression towards other dogs. This doesn't mean that all Mastiffs will be aggressive towards other dogs - if you get one with a good temperament (and one which has parents with good temperaments) and make sure you do lots of socialisation with other dogs when he is little then he should grow up to be fine with other dogs. However there is a greater likelihood of aggression towards other dogs than with some other breeds and they are so big they can do a lot of damage so you need to be very careful.
2007-02-21 06:12:25 · answer #6 · answered by Clanger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Bull Mastiff is HUGE. A gentle giant really, but the size of a small pony, really. Your 3 year old will be able to ride him and I pity you on the food bills......but they are good dogs.
Make sure it's a right fit, they take up a lot of room and it would be sad to have to find him a new home. Does your husband want one because it would be "cool" or does he really know and love the breed. It makes a difference. Hopefully you have the room and time to care for all your animals and your son!
2007-02-20 16:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Bull mastiffs are generally nice dogs but Big. It sounds like you have your hands full already with 2 dogs and a child.
2007-02-20 16:22:29 · answer #8 · answered by k9_krazy2001 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a guy thing. He probably sees some of himself in the breed. Mine is a girl thing for Dobermans, I see me in them.
I don't think that right now is the time to get that size of a dog. Wait til the little boy is big enough that he wouldn't get hurt in big dog play. Puppies play pretty rough and the dog will be a puppy for at least a year and possibly more.
Now just wouldn't be the right time. In my opinion.
2007-02-20 16:18:25 · answer #9 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
um, ... I'm not sure on them. some one i knows dog was attacked by one for know reason, he just nicely walked up to her as if to say hello, then just grabed her, she is 3 or 4 times smaller than him. one of the owners knew the dog for about three years and says it, was a very nice dog and has never been vicious or anything that it just turned on her.
then a few months on from that (i go to agility with my dog) one came to agility. the dog was OK but scared some of the people because the owners didn't seem to be able to control it very well. it chased my dog (and English springer spaniel) i think it just wanted to play, but it scared him. i have never seen him so scared since i have had him. (he's not two yet) he just sat on a chair and refused to leave it and keep trying to get out of the arena.
it was weird he i used to big dogs as his best friend is an Alaskan malamute and he has grown up playing with bigger dogs.
they would probably be a good dog if you knew how to control them and trained them right. just know that they can turn.
2007-02-20 17:15:01 · answer #10 · answered by puppy_lucas 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋